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Chichester Festival Theatre selected Ultra LEDs to supply the LED systems used throughout the 2025 production of Top Hat.
The set combined illuminated architecture, curved lightboxes and integrated LED trim, requiring a reliable system that could support fast transitions and a broad palette of colour effects.
Ultra LEDs supplied Tagra Essential RGBW LED Tape, Tagra Toning Pixel RGBW Tape and the control hardware used across the scenic build.
The production team, including Starlite Electrics Ltd, set designer Peter McKintosh and lighting designer Tim Mitchell, developed a scenic layout built on illuminated surfaces and low-profile LED integration.
The lighting system needed to deliver consistent RGBW output for large architectural elements while supporting pixel-based effects for musical sequences.
“From the very beginning, lighting was designed as part of the set rather than something added later, with illuminated surfaces and concealed LED elements forming a core part of the overall scenic language.”
- Sonic Harrison, Starlite Electrics Ltd
Starlite installed around 450 metres of Tagra Essential RGBW LED Tape for the lightboxes and 200 metres of Tagra Toning Digital Pixel RGBW Tape for areas requiring addressable control. Essential RGBW tape provided bright, uniform illumination for large surfaces, while the Toning Pixel Tape allowed fine control for programmed effects.
Control hardware included Mean Well 1000 watt power supplies, LTech 32 channel DMX decoders and Advatek long-range pixel controllers.
These were built into Starlite’s plug-and-play units for consistent dimming and streamlined setup.
Essential RGBW LED Tape illuminated five lightboxes, with three curved units positioned over the proscenium and two integrated into the central revolve.
Segmented control enabled washes, transitions and ripple effects across the surfaces.
Toning Pixel Tape was installed within the proscenium layers, metal fretwork and stage step nosings, creating defined LED lines without visible sources. This supported the choreography by reinforcing movement and cue timing.
"The pixel tape was all concealed around the layers of the show’s main proscenium, giving the ability to create multiple effects on the face of the proscenium without the light source itself being visible."
- Sonic Harrison, Starlite Electrics Ltd
The illuminated arches, layered trims and glowing steps provided structure and depth across the stage. The system reinforced the production’s visual style and supported the transitions across ensemble scenes and musical numbers.
Why Work With Ultra LEDs?
Ultra LEDs supplied reliable RGBW and pixel-based systems suitable for a fast-paced theatrical environment. Consistent output, integration-ready control hardware and straightforward installation supported the technical requirements of the show.
For LED systems suited to theatre, scenic builds or live performance environments, contact Ultra LEDs for technical specification support.
Need lighting for your next retail, hospitality, or event installation? Ultra LEDs supplies a wide range of fit-for-purpose solutions.
